Fascinating Facts about Stinging Insect Allergies
Insect stings can be painful for anyone, but if you have an allergy to them, the sting of a bee, hornet, wasp, yellow jacket or even fire ant can be life threatening.
According to the, it is more common for people to the most common allergic diseases include: hay fever, asthma, conjunctivitis, hives, eczema, dermatitis and sinusitis. But bees, hornets, wasps, yellow jackets, and fire ants can cause insect sting allergies.
7 Allergy facts
- Allergies are the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S.
- More than 50 million Americans have allergies. The common are hay fever, asthma, conjunctivitis, hives, eczema, dermatitis and sinusitis.
- Insect sting allergies are continuing to increase, now affecting about 5% of the population.
- More than 500,000 Americans end up in emergency rooms each year because of insect stings, and at least 50 people die each year from insect sting allergy.
- People who have an allergic reaction to an insect sting have a 60% chance of having a similar or worse reaction if stung again.
- Even up to 20 years after having an allergic reaction from an insect sting, adults may have a 70% change of having a similar or worse reaction, and children 30%, if stung again.
- An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system reacts to a substance that does not generally affect other persons.
[Source: American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI)]
Insect Sting Allergic Reactions
A person’s reaction to a sting can range from normal to localized to a mild or serious allergic reaction.
ACAAI details these as:
- A normal reaction to a sting (or and insect bite) may involve pain, itching, swelling and redness.
- Swelling that extends beyond the sting site – even up an entire leg or arm – is considered a localized reaction.
- A mild allergic reaction may cause site symptoms of pain, redness, pimple-like spots, swelling, warmth, and/or itching
- A severe allergic reaction can involve difficulty breathing; hives that spread beyond the sting; swelling of the face, throat, or mouth tissue; wheezing or difficulty swallowing; restlessness; anxiety; rapid pulse; dizziness or a sharp drop in blood pressure. Any of these symptoms require immediate emergency attention/treatment.
- The most severe allergic reaction is anaphylaxis. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): symptoms include flush; tingling of the palms of the hands, soles of the feet or lips; light-headedness, and chest-tightness. If not treated, these can progress into seizures, cardiac arrhythmia, shock, and respiratory distress. Anaphylaxis can result in death.
Because chances are high that a person who has had an allergic reaction will have a similar or worse reactions if stung again, those who have had a reaction should always have an emergency kit. An allergist can prescribe and give instructions on how to use a self-administered epinephrine (adrenaline) kit.
The best defense against an allergic reaction to an insect sting is avoiding stinging insects and practicing prevention. Additionally, however, there is a form of allergy shots, venom immunotherapy, that often can help to prevent severe reaction to stings.
According to David Golden, MD, ACAAI fellow and author of Advances in diagnosis and management of insect sting allergy (ACAAI Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, August 2013), venom immunotherapy works by introducing gradually increasing doses of purified insect venom, and has been shown to be 97 percent effective in preventing future allergy to insect bites. Although it doesn’t completely eliminate the risk of an allergic reaction to insect stings, when a reaction does occur (five to 10 percent), it is almost always mild, with less than two percent chance of a severe reaction while on treatment. Protection takes effect as soon as the full dose is reached, usually within 2 to 3 months of treatment.
“Allergy sufferers who have had an allergic reaction to an insect sting should be under the care of a board-certified allergist,” said Dr. Golden. “For those with severe reactions, prescribed emergency epinephrine should always be carried. Sufferers should also talk with their allergist to see if venom immunotherapy is right for them. It’s not always a cure, but it is close.” The recommended duration of venom immunotherapy is three to five years. Because relapse can occur, it’s best for patients to be regularly tested by an allergist.